I believe that Rand has gone over to the Dark Side. He's now the heir apparent to the old guard establishment bulls.
Rand has veered to the left to try and stake an early claim for the middle of the road moderate vote.
Being an Always surrender before a fight Surrender Republican Federal Politician does have its disadvantages:
1.) You will never get elected to be POTUS;
2.) If you sit on the fence, the political splinters will get you;
3.) If you stay in the middle of the road, you will get run over.
What Rand is doing leads me to believe that Rand still believes in Big Tents, Old-Style Republican Cave-Ins, and making gut-wrenching concession speeches late on Election Night.
Reality: Dole (strike one), McCain (Strike two), Romney (STRIKE THREE!!!!!!!!!!).
West, Lee, Cruz, and maybe Palin are the POTUS contenders, the rest are pretenders.
Batter UP !